It was once said that an author’s first three books usually portray his or her own character, personality and judgments. What this means is that a author, whether he intends it or not, betrays his own self through at least one of his characters. His values are going to come out in what he writes. For me, that character is Ellen Jane Cummins in Butterflies Still Sing. For real, she is my own great-great grandmother. As I was almost done creating Ellen, I realized that in many ways, she was actually me. Growing up, I often felt like I wasn’t pretty, and I was terribly shy – much more than Ellen Jane ever thought of being. I was also very insecure. Like Ellen Jane, I once had a crush on a boy in high school (I won’t tell you his name, his wife might read this!) and he never asked me out.
Also like Ellen, I am very close to my mother, I love her dearly, and I am also close to my daughter, she is so precious. I also love the Lord and am honored to be His child.
What is my daily writing schedule? I don’t write every day, but when I am in writing mode, the story is always on my mind. Often an idea will pop into my head even while I am asleep and I’ll get up and write myself a note about an idea so that I won’t forget it. Those ideas go together to form the story.
When and why did I start writing? I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK! I believe that everyone has a book idea somewhere inside them. I was no different. I’ve been writing, in one way or another, for as long as I can remember. I was always a big reader, mostly because my parents were. I always got books for Christmas and birthdays, as well as in between. My mom would get frustrated because I would finish them so fast, but I loved to read. I was the kind of kid that people always sighed over and said, “She has such a wild imagination.” I love making up stories, which I think is a plus for writers. I could always daydream and have a make believe world going on in my brain. Now I get to share it with my readers.
I have always been an avid enthusiast of my family’s Cherokee history. In my writing, I combine the known elements of the lives of the people and events of my family and heritage into historical fiction novels. The books are set in the area around Cowan, Tennessee. My May 2005 release, Water On A Flat Rock, is based on my fourth great-great grandparents, John and Annie Coker. I was always interested in the fact that John was 41 and Annie was 16 when they married. I used to make up all sorts of stories about them. I finally decided to write it all down, and the book came to life.
In my second book, Butterflies Still Sing, I wrote through the eyes of Ellen Jane Cummins who was the eldest daughter of missionaries to the Cherokee. She married William Coker in 1843. Ellen overcame so many obstacles in her life, lack of self-confidence, loneliness, leaving her childhood home, the deaths of her mother and first child and accidental blindness. Added to this was the Cherokee Trail of Tears and then the Civil War. I was fortunate to have a copy of Ellen Jane and William’s intermarriage license -- intermarriage because she was white and he was Cherokee. I also have a photograph of them and pictures of their tombstones.
My third book, When the Morning Stars Sang ... is written through the eyes of Cassie Long. When I was writing Butterflies, I created Cassie and fell in love with her and decided to tell her story. In Morning Stars, my readers also get to meet some of the true-life folks from the Cowan, Tennessee area.
When The Morning Stars Sang … is without reservation the best thing I have ever written. Up until that point, I've loved all my books equally. But When The Morning Stars Sang … is on a new level for me.
Random thoughts about my writing: When you read books, you are giving something more than money: you are giving your time. In return for that part of your life, I expect of myself to give you in return my absolute best job. When I write a book, it's unconditionally the best book I can write at that time. You can decide for yourself if it's worthwhile to you or not. What you can't argue is whether or not I put in my best effort. Each of my three books – each one is better than the last – better written, better edited, just better. Writing, like everything else, is a learning process, and as I was an “accidental author,” I am learning as I go.
Even though it was in a way accidental, I’ve found that writing historical fiction suits me. I do lots of research in order to have everything from the fixtures in the home, methods of travel, figures of speech, etc. as historically accurate as I can. I want my readers to enjoy the story and learn a little history also.
I also try to write so that the book runs like a movie in the reader’s mind. I want the reader to feel what the character is feeling and for the feelings to stick with them after they put the book down. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them. I also always present Jesus Christ in my books - I think it’s the best thing to which any writer can aspire.
The fun you have when you read a novel is the same feeling of fun I have when I'm writing it. I get to have this fun any time I open up my laptop. It's the most terrific job I could have. It's my most noble ambition and my most noble goal. I also feel a deep responsibility to readers. I always write for myself and for my readers. I love to make my readers happy.
I also try to write about history very accurately but in a way that is interesting and easy to read – not just lists of facts and dates, but have the history woven through the story.
I think readers are hungry for things that are of significance and that speaks to their values and that talk about the things in their life that are important.
Now, if any of you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Please email me at Sunceria@hotmail.com.
